Mountain View Voice

News - August 15, 2008

Voice makes push for mail delivery

Switch would eliminate plastic bags — but first, readers must approve

by Staff Report

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and eliminate use of the ubiquitous blue plastic bags, the Voice is beginning a campaign to return the paper to mail delivery. And we need our readers' help.

In order to meet postal regulations for the periodical rate, more than half of the 18,000-plus households currently receiving the Voice must request the paper by going to our Web site, www.mv-voice.com/request, or by calling our office at (650) 964-6300. Either way takes only a minute, and will ensure that readers receive convenient home delivery of the paper for as long as they wish.

The switch to mail delivery will go into effect only after 9,000 or more households have requested the paper. Readers requesting the paper must be in the Mountain View ZIP codes of 94040, 94041, 94042 or 94043.

Publisher Tom Gibboney said he is excited about the prospect of offering mail delivery.

"Using the mail, the Voice will lower its carbon footprint by piggybacking delivery with the postal service and eliminating an extra carrier trip around the route. The blue plastic bags currently used in home delivery will also be eliminated.

"We are counting on Mountain View residents, who have loved the Voice since it began publication more than 12 years ago, to help us out in this very important effort to qualify for periodical rate status," Gibboney said. "The last time we asked, more than 10,000 readers responded, and we hope they will continue to support us."

Posted by Ned, a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 15, 2008 at 9:34 am

Go on-line to register to have a paper sent to you in the mail when you can read it on-line for free? How much sense does that make? You can help reduce the carbon footprint of the paper by not printing it on paper.

Posted by GSB, a resident of Castro City
on Aug 15, 2008 at 9:56 am

Ned,

Not everyone is online.

Posted by Liza, a resident of another community
on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:51 am

Why did the Voice switch from mail delivery to carrier delivery a year or two ago in the first place anyway?

Posted by Trudi Tuban, a resident of Old Mountain View
on Aug 15, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Posted by Name withheld, a resident of Shoreline West
on Aug 19, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Yes to mailing

Posted by David, a resident of Monta Loma
on Aug 19, 2008 at 3:10 pm

I had the delivery stopped because I didn't like the paper in my driveway (along with the blue bag) and I couldn't stop it with the mail when I'm away. I like walking up to the store to get the paper anyway. I would consider home delivery but only when it goes to mail, not before.
Thanks.

Posted by pauline maximoff, a resident of Blossom Valley
on Aug 19, 2008 at 8:24 pm

I think it is a great idea, should have stayed with mail. Please mail mine. thanks